Eleven years ago, a starry-eyed young couple stumbled tearily through their wedding vows in a simple little church surrounded by a small group of friends and family.
They celebrated after with cake, finger foods, and lots of hugs and well-wishes. Showered with bubbles, they waltzed off into their life together.
Sometimes I look at that girl in the photos and reminisce about those days. We were so happy and so carefree. We used to come home from work, eat dinner together, then go to the gym or the grocery ridiculously late at night. We slept in until 10am on Saturdays. We sang in the church choir, volunteered our time as newsletter editors for a local writing group, and took our dog to obedience school. We snagged a perfectly-good couch out of a dumpster a couple of rows from our townhouse one night (and we still have that couch today). Those were the good ol’ days.
We still laugh together and enjoy each other’s company (though we don’t gallivant about nearly so late at night). But walking through hell on earth together has changed us both. We thank God that our relationship has deepened, not imploded, through the tears and the pain, the misunderstandings and the tantrums, the fear and the grief.
Life never turns out like we think it will, not for anyone. Everyone’s dreams for the future get shattered in one way or another. Jobs don’t work out. You never find a special someone to share your life with. You’re unable to bring children into your family. Or you have children with serious illnesses or who make horrible choices or who are attacked by someone they should be able to trust or who are victims of terrible accidents. You develop your own serious illness, make horrible choices, or are victim of someone else’s horrible choices. You are abandoned by the one person who makes a public vow to stay with you til death. And the list goes on.
I wish, sometimes, that we had more realistic expectations for the future. Maybe these things wouldn’t blindside us in such an utterly devastating way.
I look at the girl in the wedding photo and know that she has absolutely no idea how bad things can and will get. And I really wonder if that’s the best way to start out a new life. We have made it this far, by the grace of God. But we’re one of the very very few, and that’s so tragic.
who I never tire of being around.
for hugging me through the disappointments, fears, and pain,
for crying with me in the midst of our losses,
for tackling the challenge of our children’s medical situations as a full partner,
for being such an unconditionally-loving father to our four children,
and for putting up with all my flaws.
I love you!
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Beautiful post about a beautiful marriage with beautiful people! (Did I use beatiful enough times?)
As for me, when I look at my pictures, I'm glad that couple that got married 9 years ago didn't know. They couldn't have handled it. Their love hadn't deepened and they maybe would have walked away before they would have even started.
It is nice to remember that there have been many good times in the midst of some really bad times. We are glad to see you rejoicing and celebrating today.
Love,
Dad
Happy Anniversary you two. Thank you for a wonderful post. It has me in tears.
Love you much,
Heather
When we were newlyweds, I remember watching the people around us going through heartaches and saying to each other, "Our life is too good. How long until something bad happens to us? The good can't go on like this forever."
I, too, am thankful for my hubby who is committed to being there with me no matter what and who has weathered life's storms faithful alongside me.
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for sharing your heart, Joy! We rejoice that God brought you and Scott together in marriage 11 years ago! You have had your ups and your downs, and you are still together by God's grace and mercy in your times of need. Thank you, Lord. I am looking forward to seeing how God will work in your lives together as husband and wife, and in watching you grow together in an even stronger and more faithful walk with your Lord and Savior as you continue to learn to yield your lives to God's will and way for you!
Love you my dear daughter. Glad you have been able to reflect on who you were back there on your wedding day and who you are today.
There is a lot to be thankful for and grateful for in the blessings that God has bestowed on you, that has helped sustain you in the more difficult times.
Love,
Mom
Amen!